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As the media reminisce the things or events that made it to the news this year, I am also reviewing this year and list down the 10 significant events or things that happened to me. Here they are, in random order:

Winning A Writing Contest, December – This is the most recent event that happened to me that’s why I mentioned it first. I joined a contest on Philippine Star sponsored by Globe and National Bookstore, and my entry was picked as one of the Weekly Winners. My article was published a week before the deadline. 🙂

Resigning From My Job, August – I have been planning of quitting from my job since the year started because it was just way stressful, not to mention didn’t pay me well and the schedule is at night. However, my short stint as an Assistant Operations Manager in a website company (10 months) was also a blessing to me as I have learned and benefited so much from the trainings, exposure and working closely with my bosses, clients and my team. While salary always come as secondary to me, the job of an AOM that required so much from me, that usually ends up as charity works (I’m not paid for overtime since I accepted the position), is one of the reason I call it quits.

New Job, December – Although I won’t be starting until February of 2011, I already have signed a contract with my new company. The work schedule is great (daytime), salary and even the benefits. The start date is also great as I was able to spend and enjoy the holidays with my family and friends, and also since I pledged long time ago (I don’t remember when) to not work my birthday which is next month, my prayers are answered.

World Cup 2010, June to July –I was hooked to the FIFA WORLD CUP 2010. I was introduced to the sport long time ago but it’s only in 2006 when I paid attention to it because of my Korean students who were so crazy about it. But this year, I am not teaching anymore but I was glued to the matches of FIFA. I made sure I am updated about the results and the fixtures. I supported Brazil, Italy, Mexico, England and South Korea. Well I wanted Brazil to win but they were knocked out during the semis. Spain wasn’t really a favorite during the start of the

Spain won!

game, however I rooted for them during the semis and the final match against Holland. And I was so happy they won! Woohooo!!! I remember sitting in our living room, watching the game at 3am until about 6am, screaming out loud alone during the match! Idy, my best friend from England even called me via Skype to congratulate me. Hahaha… I won’t forget this WORLD CUP, I was so into it, I didn’t even want it to end. Also, that’s when I met some of the great football players (ehem… handsome footies!) – Carlos Vela, Iker Casillas, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, etc.

AFF Suzuki Cup and the Azkals, December – Looks like the last month of this year had a lot of significant events. I came to know about our own National Football Team dubbed as the Azkals competing in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010. I’ve blogged a lot about them in the past few weeks, one during their stunning win against the powerhouse and 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup champion, Vietnam and them reaching the semis. It was great to hear my own National Team doing well in the ASEAN football competition. While I supported and love Brazil during the World Cup, and cheered for Spain during the finals, cheering for your own national team gives you a different kind of happiness and pride. It’s really different when you are cheering for your own. I am just so glad to have the Azkals. Like I wrote before, during the World Cup games in July, Filipino football fans were just few, but ever since the Azkals made history, enough for them to grab the media attention (thank God for their football skills and of course their gorgeous looks! ehem… Neil Etheridge), the fans has grown ten folds. Great! Now, people in this basketball-crazy country is being aware of the beautiful game. It’s about time to revive football. We’ve had it since 1907. Wake up Pinoy footballers!

Singapore Trip, July – It was my first overseas trip. It was my short but great. My well-deserved vacation as my best friend Idy said. (Read the story here.)

Election Campaign, April to May – Mom ran for public office as a city councilor. Unfortunately, (or should I say fortunately? :D) she didn’t win. The family was not really expecting it. My mother never dreamed about becoming a politician and we didn’t even dream about becoming a politician’s family either. Being Minister’s daughters is already enough. Politics is too much. But in the last few days of Nov 2009, she filled for her candidacy after being convinced by a family friend/politician to run under his wife’s line up of councilors . The experience during the two months of campaigning for her, her team and the presidential candidate that we were supporting was really something new. Though I already campaigned for a presidential candidate back in 2004. And even though I was busy at work, I made sure I joined mom in her sorties almost every day.

New Friendship, April – I gained new friends from work. I may had my share of nightmares as the AOM at work but I have found treasures also in my friendship with some of them.

Maintaining Friendship, All-Year-Round – Change is normal. Relationship turning sour is sad but it’s part of reality. While I had to end some friendship, I was able to maintain some and I am so glad it is with them. They are gems! I hate to admit, but I think I am bad at maintaining relationships – may it be platonic or romantic relationship. This is something I really need to work on I know. But I’m glad, God blessed me with great friends and they are so awesome!

M

M, Almost All-Year-Round –

There are lots of things to list under this, but I guess I’ll just mention 3 of them. First would be his first real attempt to come here. He was supposed to come here around early March to work in the same company I was working. Everything was set, he already booked his ticket, I’ve already talked to my boss, we were ready, his family approved and supported his plan, I was nervous as it will be our first time to see each other after 5 years, but during the last minute, he was denied of a visa. He was crushed, but I was more than crushed. Second, he got a new job after a long time of trying and applying. He is employed in a good company. I was happy for it at the same time sad. There is a big possibility that in a few years, when he is established, his parents will find someone for him to marry as part of their culture and tradition and it may not be me. Third, he was ‘gone’ again for a few months. I don’t know why I act as if it’s something new, but he’s been doing it since 2004. We didn’t talk for a few months. Just one day, he stopped sending me messages. I just let him. I thought at first it was because I wanted to give him time, then later on, I said to myself, I had no more time and I can’t wait much longer. So I decided to also distanced myself, by this time, he was trying to get hold of me again, but I wasn’t responding. I wanted to see what he’s willing to do for me. Four months past and I only got heaps of offline messages on my yahoo and a call in August. We talked during the last week of September. I was able to tell him how I feel about our situation, we cried, we both cried. It was one of the saddest day in my life. We weren’t able to agree on something, we ended up sweet talking again but after the 5-minute chat in October, I haven’t heard anything from him again. *sighs*

Although, I am still in awe about being featured on a leading newspaper in the country yesterday (check out this post: “The Glory of the Byline” ) I am also a bit heart broken because Azkals didn’t make to the finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010. Yesterday’s match was another great game, although I have to admit that our National Football Team didn’t play too aggressively yesterday especially during the first half, compared to the first game they played against Indonesia. But despite of the lost, I’m still a very proud Azkal fan. Yes! And I will forever be their supporter.

The Miracle Man and Philippines Head Coach, Simon McMenemy

I wrote this yesterday on Facebook as a message to the Philippines Head Coach Simon McMenemy and the Azkals:

“I’m still proud of the Philippine National Football Team! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Thank you Coach Simon McMenemy and the team for reviving the football in the Philippines. I never thought it would happen this soon, just a few months ago (World Cup season), we, the Filipino football fans were very few, now the fans has grown ten folds and I’ve never been this happy and excited for the football. I always cheer for Brazil, Spain and England (of course!) and other countries (Portugal) during the World Cup games but it’s not the same when you cheer for your own country. There’s this different kind of pride and happiness. Thank you so much for being the Miracle Man! May God bless you and the team! 🙂 “

The Azkals

I look forward to the next matches. I heard they’re playing Mongolia in February 9, 2011 for the Asian Football Confederation qualifiers and hopefully the proposed Panaad Stadium in Bacolod venue will be picked. 🙂

The match just ended. Myanmar vs. the Philippines was a tough game. Both teams did a great job tonight. But the Philippines did it to the semi-finals! YES! Philippines in the semis for the first time in a looooooooooooooooong time! Great job Team RP!

Experts said a few days ago that Philippines is the great surprise in this year’s tournament. I understand why. We didn’t even qualify in 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup but now, this year, we are in the Semi-Finals! Wow! This is after having a draw with Singapore during the first game with a 1-1 score and beating the tournament’s current champion Vietnam with a sore of 2-0! Wow! And to amaze us more, they are leading in the Group B standing. This is awesome! I’m sure this is the start of the revival of football in my basketball-loving country! Woohooo!!!! I am so proud of you guys!

Good job coach Simon McMenemy and the Azkals! And I’d like to specifically mention, great job Mr. Goalie! I love you! LOL. 🙂

It was in the news today. The RP’s Men Football Team won against the defending champion Vietnam in the AFF Suzuki Cup yesterday. I am so happy! In a basketball-crazed country like mine, it is so great to know that the national team is doing well in the tournament beating the current champion in the region. And although, we are still just few compared to the basketball fans in the country, I am sure that all football-loving Filipinos are so proud of this achievement. Hopefully, in a few years, we will be able to qualify too in the FIFA World Cup. That is one of my dreams. I promise I will surely watch the RP team play live in the pitch someday and I will cheer for them with my whole heart. 🙂 Congratulations, Team Philippines!

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